NCAA Saturday: NC State Coach Herb Sendek

NCAA Athletics

03/20/2004

<B>Orlando, FL -- </b>NC State Head Basketball Coach Herb Sendek met with the media today and talked about the upcoming game against Vanderbilt.

Head Coach Herb SendekOpening Statement ...
"I think Vanderbilt is one of the best teams in the country. I have been watching them throughout the year and as a fan I am thoroughly impressed. They are very efficient and sharp, well balanced and experienced, and have great size. They are going to challenge and demand the very best from us."

On Vanderbilt and North Carolina State's similarities ...
"It's the same basic framework. We are the same, but not identical."

On North Carolina State's freshman Engin Atsur ...
"He had a terrific freshman year. We put a lot on his shoulders and he has responded early in his career. There is a little bit of a language barrier but his English is pretty good. He is a great student and very bright."

On Xavier's coaching staff ...
"Basically, it is our coaching staff in blue."

On Julius Hodge
"He is a winner and a great competitor on and off of the court. He can impose his will."

On free-throws ...
"We recruit great free-throw shooters. It's exciting to see in practice when you work with a guy for hours and hours in the gym and when he makes five in a row you think you turn a corner and when they go in the game you are afraid to look."

On Vanderbilt's Matt Freije ...
"You cannot sellout on just one guy because it opens up the other guys, which makes it tough on everyone. It's like robbing Peter to pay Paul."

On Vanderbilt's Mario Moore ...
"He had a great SEC Conference tournament. I remember him from high school. He is a great player and his exceptional play does not come as a surprise to us."

On the center match-up
"They have a great size advantage. Both guys can go away from the basket. It will be challenging to try and match-up against the physicality that Vanderbilt poses. I think that they are a very physical team."

On Orlando ...
"We might go to the Magic Kingdom or Epcot Center but I wish it was like a bowl game where we would have a whole week, but they keep us pretty busy here."